It say’s much for the twisted political allegiances of the media establishment in Ireland that the country’s largest national newspaper carries an article expressing concerns that Irish citizens are joining the military forces of a foreign nation in lesser numbers than in previous years. From the Irish Independent:
“THE number of Irish recruits joining the British Army has almost halved in the space of 12 months, as British forces end combat operations, and dissident republicans target recruits.
New UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) figures obtained by the Irish Independent reveal that just 70 Irish citizens joined the British Army in 2012.
That contrasts with 123 Irish citizens opting to join British forces in 2011 and represents a 44pc decline in the space of just 12 months.
The recruitment of Irish citizens into Britain ‘s army, navy and air force reached its highest level since World War II over the past decade.
However, there is concern that the deliberate targeting of Irish recruits to the British Army by dissident republicans may also have been a factor in the decline.
Over the past decade, Irish citizens have joined Britain’s armed forces in increasing numbers, many frustrated at the inability to pursue a military career at home due to Defence Forces recruitment restrictions.”
Or perhaps they are “frustrated” by the lack of opportunities at home to kill and main other human beings that is freely available overseas with the British Armed Forces? And you never know, if the conflict in the north-east of Ireland re-erupts again perhaps they might be able to slaughter some Irish men, women and children too. It can’t be Arabs or Muslims all the time, y’know!
AN SIONNACH FIONN 
Do you know Séamas where the majority of the recruits actually come from? are they mostly from the North of the country or South? I just wondered because I was thinking about the reasons why an Irish man or woman would join the British army at all unless perhaps they were resident in the U.K and had a life over the re etc.
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Good question, the figures apply to the south only. Why anyone would join the fighting army of a foreign nation where you would be risking your own life and well-being is a mystery in the 21st century. I can understand in centuries past but now? The Defence Forces of Ireland provide plenty of overseas tours with the UN, etc. But then peace-keeping may be not as exciting as shooting people – for some.
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Remnants of the Palemen i would guess.
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Why do you have an army anyway, who are they supposed to fight? The only realistic threat to Ireland is the UK and they could walk all over you anytime they chose, except that there would be no point. I suppose you could try invading Rockall …
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You have to have an army to deal with things like chaos in emergencies etc. The only country I know of that has none is Costa Rica. They got rid of theirs because of coups. Their police force do the job.
Caithfidh arm a bheith ag tír chun scliúchas a chur fé chois in aimsir éigeandála. Tá arm ag gach tír go bhfios dom ach amháin ag Costa Rica. Cuireadh deireadh lena n-arm de dheasca ceannairceanna..
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I think Iceland has no military, only a police force and coast guard. But I agree, there should be a regular, standing military consistent with defence and security needs and national size. Ireland is currently very poorly served in both.
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